On World Children’s Day, the Sindh government reaf-firms the right of every child to grow, learn, play, and flourish in a safe, responsive and friendly environment, free of distress, hunger, fear and oppression. This was stated by Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister Justice (R ) Maqbool Baqar while speaking at the World Children’s Day programme organised by the school education department in collaboration with UNICEF Pakistan at a lo-cal hotel.
The programme was attended by Sindh Caretaker Minis-ter for Education Rana Hussain, Secretary of School Education Dr. Shereen Narejo, Representative, UNICEF Pakistan Abdullah Fadil, Representative, UNICEF Paki-stan, children The Chief minister said that World Chil-dren’s Day was a day to have fun and celebrate the chil-dren in our lives, while also standing up for their rights and giving them the chance to speak out on the biggest challenges they face. Sindh joins the world community today in celebrating World Children’s Day 2023, which is an occasion for us all to reaffirm our commitment to the fundamental principles laid down in the United Na-tions Declaration of the Rights of the Child as well as our national obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Right of the Child, Interim CM said and added that the Convention on the Rights of the Child was an international human rights agreement that out-lined the specific rights that children and young people could claim.
Baqar said that as a party to the CRC and its two Op-tional Protocols, the Pakistan government was com-mitted to upholding the promotion and protection of the human rights of all children and fulfilling its national and international obligations in that regard. On World Children’s Day, my government reaffirms the right of every child to grow, in a safe, free of distress, hunger, fear, and oppression. The CM said that the Children were the most precious resource of any nation and the sole guarantee for its future. The Government of Sindh is determinedly striving and making every effort to ensure that children have access to and enjoy their rights particularly birth registration, access to education, nutri-tion and healthcare, clean drinking water and sanitation, dignity, security, and all other rights as envisaged in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, he said. He disclosed that the Sindh government has undertaken a range of institutional and legal measures to eliminate the exploitation of children and their discrimi-nation based on gender, religion, and ethnicity. He appreciated the UNICEF and other partners and the education department working collaboratively for the full realization of child rights.
The Minister of Education Rana Hussain speaking on the occasion said that World Children’s Day prompted us to acknowledge the challenges that our children face while fostering the optimism that, collectively, we can and should do more to ensure that every child’s rights are not just recognized but fully realized.
She added that our collective responsibility lies in recognizing the challenges that many children continue to face, their needs and rights often unmet. She underscored the essential role of women in the holistic development of children, both at home and in schools.
Women play a pivotal role in rearing children, influencing their well-being, and shaping their futures.
